On Thursday, an anti-Israel mob surrounded 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami outside the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
Shortly after getting out of his car, Ramaswami was spotted by a group of pro-Palestinian activists in Union Park, where protesters have been stationed for a week. According to To the Daily Wire.
The video shows the home of Hamas supporter Hatem Abudaya. Attacked Ramaswami, who was arrested by the FBI in 2010 on suspicion of supporting terrorism, urged him to leave if he would not support the Palestinians. Several journalists were on camera filming the standoff.
“The good news is, because we're in America, we can actually express ourselves,” Ramaswami told Abudaye.
While Ramaswami remained calm, Abdaie became agitated.
Interview set up Vivek Gramaswamy What happened at the anti-Israel protests in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/hlZJf0Xkri
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) August 22, 2024
“Can you express yourself as a racist? Can you express yourself as a racist Zionist pig?” Abudaye responded. “Racists are not welcome here. Racists are not welcome here.”
Abudayah chanted slogans as Ramaswami's security team directed him to move away from the approaching protesters. (RELATED: Mike Lindell interrupts Biden-Harris influencer during live stream to ask if he got a 'free vasectomy')
“Go home racists! Go home racists!” anti-Israel activists shouted as they followed Ramaswami as he calmly walked away from the scene.
At the Democratic National Convention, Mr. Ramaswami politely chatted with protesters and undecided voters. In one video, he was seen buying a Communist Party newspaper from a protester for $5. He praised the paper vendor for his convictions and blasted Vice President Kamala Harris for not making a policy statement and taking a stand.
Watch Vivek Ramaswami buy a Communist Party newspaper for $5 outside the Democratic National Convention.
My only question is, isn't it hypocritical for Communists to sell a two-cent newspaper for five dollars? pic.twitter.com/MssLtn0R7T
— Eyal Yaakoby (@EYakoby) August 22, 2024
Today at a protest outside the Democratic National Convention, I encountered a group of self-described Marxists who were selling materials for $5 a piece and were kind enough to accept Venmo and most other electronic forms of payment. You could call it Das Kapital. pic.twitter.com/nmOuyOxake
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 23, 2024
In another exchange, the video shows an undecided voter unbuttoning Kamala Harris' suit jacket and speaking peacefully with Ramaswami inside the Democratic National Convention, as protesters in the background yell angrily about voting tests at the end of the conversation.
Vivec will stay on to engage with undecided voters and engage in frank discussions on foreign policy and environmental issues.
You'll never see Kamala do something like this. pic.twitter.com/wNJ82ZXilV
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 23, 2024
A protester outside the DNC asked me if I supported reparations for racism, and I told her, “Yes, I do.” pic.twitter.com/kV581s9hss
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 23, 2024
Ramaswami told the Daily Caller that he participated in the protest at the Democratic National Convention because he believes in freedom of speech.
“I believe in freedom of speech. Not just as a catchphrase but as a way of life. That's why I took part in the protest today,” Ramaswami told The Caller.
Harris is scheduled to take center stage at the Democratic National Convention later on Thursday as the event draws to a close.